Julia Vanishes

Because of her ability to turn almost invisible, thief Julia is sent by a mysterious employer to gather information from the wealthy Mrs. Och's house; posing as a housemaid, Julia learns that Mrs. Och is defying the fervidly anti-magic government. This is a tricky, frightening, relentlessly exciting adventure colored with moral ambiguity and magical intrigue. Plenty of questions are left open for further installments.

Julia is a thief in Spira City, sent by a mysterious employer to gather information from the wealthy Mrs. Och's house. Though Julia has never understood her ability to turn almost invisible, that talent helps her spy and steal. Posing as a housemaid, Julia learns that Mrs. Och is defying the fervidly anti-magic government by secretly smuggling well-connected witches to safety. (Less-fortunate witches are drowned in public "Cleansings," as Julia's mother was years before.) Mrs. Och's newest houseguests are a beautiful witch and her toddler son -- a child with powers that interested parties would kill to claim. Julia is drawn into a battle encompassing her targets, a corrupt politician, and the terrifying forces behind her assignment. While this fantasy's world-building, politics, and magical history are indeed interesting, these are surpassed by the daring criminal escapades and by Julia's internal conflicts. Julia's self-made family of thieves (including brother Dek and love-interest Wyn) is a likable crew that works together, even through the personal betrayals that add emotional complexity to the novel. The villains, too, are attractive in their wickedness. Following Julia and her comrades makes for a tricky, frightening, relentlessly exciting adventure colored with moral ambiguity and magical intrigue. The fast-paced plot concludes nicely, but with plenty of questions left open for further installments in the series. sarah berman